Improvement in frames for school-desks and seats



JOHN L. RITER..

Patented Oct. 10,1871.

A 17 I w.

- PATENT QFFICE.

JOHN L. RITER, OF BROWNSVILLE, DIDIAN A.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRAMES FOR SCHOOL-DESKS AND SEATS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,882, dated October10,1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that JOHN L. RITER, of Brownsville, in the county of Unionand the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Bent-Wood School-Desk Frames; and I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof,reference being had to the annexed drawing, in which- Figure 1 is avertical section of a combined school-desk and school-seat embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 represents views in detail of the legs of the desk andseat.

This invention has relation to combined schooldesks and school-seats andthe novelty consists in constructing each of the end standards orsupports of two pieces of suitable wood, steamed or submitted to othersoftening process, and then bent into the form described and fittedtogether, as hereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A and B represent the two piecesof wood of which the end supports of a combined school-desk andschool-seat embodying myinvention is composed. In the construction ofthese supports, any suitable wood, as oak, walnut, and the like, may beused. The wood is first cut into thin strips and then submitted to asteaming or other equivalent process by which they are rendered pliable.In this condition they are bent, one to an S.-shape, as shown at A inthe drawing, and the other slightly out of a straight line. They arethen notched or mortised half way through from one side, as shown at aa, the notches being about midway between the ends, and are then fittedtogether so as to bring the corresponding sides of the two strips flushwith each other and to form a close concealed joint. The connection thusformed may be made secure by bolts, or other equivalents, or by simplyglueing. The desk-leaf D is placed in an inclined position on the upperends of the supports, as shown, while the seat D is either hinged orrigidly secured to the knees E of the legs A. The back of the seat issecured to the flout of the leg B, as shown at F. The shape of the legsA B and'their relative adaptation secure firmness and prevent topplingor unsteadiness in case the fastenings at the floor should become loose.By this peculiar construction of the strip A below the point of unionwith strip B, the manufacturer is enabled to attach a seat directly tosaid strip A, as sliown, and thereby obviate the necessity of supplyingan arm or other supporting standard therefor, as is usual in similardevices. When the seat is pivoted between the knees they serve as armsthereto.

I claim as my invention- The improved supports for a combinationschool-desk and school-seat, consisting of the S- shaped strip of wood Aand slightly-curved strip B, bent to the forms described, and notched ata a, and fitted together, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement of bent-woodschool-desk frames I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day ofSeptember, 1871.

JOHN L. RITER. [L. s.] Witnesses:

DANIEL S. SNYDER,

Tnos. O. CRAWFORD. (62)

